The truth is, I’m a book girl.
Sometimes we call it my sickness around here.
But there are only a handful of books that end up front and center on my family room bookshelves–and these are all my favorites.
Today I get to tell you about one of my favorites, Emily P. Freeman’s new book, Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World. As part of the Launch Team, I had the opportunity to take in this new release over the summer, in exchange for my honest review.
Because she’s one of my favorite authors, it doesn’t surprise me that I highly recommend this book. {Seriously, you need it!}
But only if you’re one of those people who feels like they’re “being pulled under by the strong current of expectation, comparison, and hurry.”
Only if you suspect that “our obsession with bigger and faster is spinning us out of control.”
Only if you need to find a little space for your soul to breathe.
I don’t want to speak for all of us, but Isn’t that pretty much everyone these days?
As Emily says, “We move through the week breathless and bustling, just trying to keep up while longing to slow down.”
Throughout Simply Tuesday, Emily invites us to slow down and celebrate our smallness. She suggests we look to our Tuesdays, the most ordinary day of the week, to find evidence of presence of Christ and His kingdom.
This book is a great reminder that Christ is the deepest need of our souls, and He gives meaning to even our smallest moments.
Emily told a story that sticks with me, about a little white house she drove past on her way to the beach. Surrounded by a gorgeous field of yellow rapeseed blossoms, the house and its fields of gold fascinated her.
With a little research, she learned the rapeseed plant is a mustard crop–as in The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.
The mustard seed grows easily and without much human effort.
It’s unruly and untamed, and grows wherever it desires, whether one wants it to grow or not.
“When the kingdom of God takes root, it will grow without much human effort at all.”
“We equate growth and size with God and favor, never stopping to consider the invisible kingdom we walk around in, the kind that starts as a mustard seed and grows whatever way it wants to, the kind that often works in secret, small ways–without our effort–like a seed, like yeast, like salt.”
See what I mean? These are such worthwhile words, and I took pages of notes. Because this world shouts the opposite. This world suggests we need to think bigger and live bigger, and makes me think the outcome is mostly up to me.
Simply Tuesday inspires us to release outcomes to God and to notice His presence “one inch above the ground.” I sincerely hope you’ll read it.
~Angela
Giveaway Details:
To be entered in the drawing for the book giveaway, simply leave a comment below. I will choose one person on Saturday, August 22, 2015, and will mail you a copy of this book (U.S. residents only). Truth be told, one of my kids will choose the name out of a hat…we are high-tech up in here. 🙂
August 22nd Update: The winner of the book giveaway is KELLY! I’ve sent you an email Kelly, and I look forward to getting this book in your hands!
What small, simple things do you appreciate today? The kind of things you might find within your ordinary Tuesdays?
Sounds like a fabulous book and much needed!
Yes! I promise, I could use some of these words again already. Emily’s books are like that!
Me!! I want this book!
I want you ALL to win it! 🙂
Sounds exciting and a must read!
For sure! Thanks for the comment!
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this book, I can’t wait to read it for myself!!
I hope you get a chance to read it, Abby! Have a great day!
Sounds like a God request to just rest and not try so hard. Wow, do I need that!
Amy, you and me both! So good to chat with you yesterday! Looking forward to seeing what doors open in the future!
One thing I make sure to appreciate every day is my family. I wake up earlier than everyone else and look at their peaceful sleeping faces and Thank God for them. We may make each other a little crazy at times but I couldn’t ask for a more loving family and they keep me sane in this chaotic world.
Laura, I love that. If I go into my kids’ rooms in the early morning, they wake up without fail…and are up for good, so I kinda avoid them in the morning. 🙂 But at night, after they all fall asleep, yes! It’s the best. Love that you shared that!
I really like books like this, we all need to slow down, and breath in God
Yes, Barb…it’s so good and I agree–we need that slowing down and breathing in God. Love how you put that.
I attended a funeral today for my uncle. My parents (both in their 70’s) attended as well. Being able to give my mom and dad a hug and kiss goodbye seemed like such a blessing. How I treasure those ordinary moments!
Tammy, Thanks for sharing this. I am sorry for your loss. But what a beautiful blessing to spend that time with your parents, and thanks for the reminder to treasure ordinary moments like that.
Emily is one of my favorites – this book is on my wish list for sure. Small, simple things I love? My daughter’s laugh; fresh cherry tomatoes from our garden; the rainbow mix of pens on my desk; the small bamboo plant on my desk (nature in the midst of all that technology). Thank you for the reminder to continue to look for those little things!
Rebekah, love that we share this favorite! And your list of simple things is beautiful! Sometimes reading other people’s lists remind me of more I have to be thankful for, so I’m so glad you shared these. Have a beautiful day!
One thing I can appreciate about today, and everyday, is the view from my window. I work from home and I’m able to stare out of my dining room window and look into the woods every now and then. It gives me a lot of peace.
Love that, Samantha! Something as simple as the view from a window…I agree, sometimes my kitchen window view while homeschooling the kids sends me out onto the deck to soak in the beauty for a few minutes. Thanks for sharing!
My small thing today was being able to enjoy lunch out with my hubby. Truth be told, it was squeezed in between doctor and dentist visits, but after almost two weeks over recovering from a significant kidney stone procedure, it was an especially nice treat!
Yes, Suzanne, I think that counts as a treat, even if it was squeezed in! Sounds like a great way to make an ordinary Tuesday extra special.
Golly, I have that book problem too! 😉 This read sounds like a good one, Angela, pure ministry to the everyday life. Today I appreciate my parents. We live several states apart, but I sit here with them tonight. An airplane will carry me home tomorrow. I’ve made it my goal to truly appreciate each day with them, regardless if its lived near or far. That appreciation will seep into the lives of other older folks as well. Yes, that sounds like a good Tuesday.
Beautiful, Kristi! Yes, “pure ministry to the everyday life”. Love that. Beautiful words about your parents…thanks for sharing!
This book looks so fabulous!! I could really use the encouragement.
Wishing you “luck” in the drawing, Elise! 🙂
I love the silence I get to breathe in not to mention exhale in the early morning. I used to dread being the first one to get up, but I realize it is a perfect time for me to settle my mind on the day and have alone time with God. I also realized the same joy with my commute. What used to drive me crazy (traffice and all) now gives me purpose. If driving is slow…I pray heartily for the car in front of me. 🙂
Kelly, I am with you on that–I used to dread the early mornings too, but now I’m loving them, and setting my mind on the Lord is the best place to start from. Thanks for sharing this!